Hunger or Death: Gaza Civilians Face Catastrophic Crisis Amid Aid Blockade

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a terrifying new threshold, with desperate civilians forced to make an impossible choice: starve or risk death while attempting to obtain food. Since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operating on 27 May 2025, scores of Palestinians have been killed or injured while attempting to access aid, underlining the devastating impact of Israel’s military operations and ongoing blockade.

According to reports from humanitarian organizations and eyewitnesses, over 410 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while attempting to reach food distribution sites run by the Foundation. An additional 93 civilians have reportedly been shot while trying to approach rare UN and international aid convoys. These incidents have left at least 3,000 others injured, often with life-altering wounds.

These killings—frequently involving live ammunition directed at unarmed civilians—constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law. Legal experts and human rights bodies have emphasized that the unlawful and disproportionate use of force against civilians not only violates the Geneva Conventions but also constitutes war crimes. Each death demands a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation, with accountability mechanisms enforced against perpetrators.

A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolding

The Gaza Strip teeters on the brink of full-scale famine, exacerbated by Israel’s prolonged blockade and destruction of local infrastructure. For over 20 months, military operations have systematically targeted food production, agricultural assets, and essential services, leaving Gaza’s population dependent on increasingly scarce aid.

Since 2 March 2025, Israel has permitted only a minimal number of aid trucks to enter Gaza. Meanwhile, restrictions on UN agencies and international humanitarian groups have intensified, choking off the delivery of food, fuel, medical supplies, and water purification materials.

The chaos surrounding the few active distribution points—those operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and intermittent UN convoys—has become emblematic of the desperation. Crowds of thousands gather daily in hopes of securing basic food items, risking stampedes, violence, and attacks.

Vulnerable Populations Face Heightened Danger

Women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. Without secure access routes or protection guarantees, they often struggle to reach aid convoys or navigate violent, overcrowded distribution areas. Reports of exploitation and abuse in these settings are growing, including cases of sexual violence, extortion, and denial of assistance on discriminatory grounds.

The militarization of humanitarian aid—including heavily armed escorts and control over distribution by military authorities—contravenes international standards for civilian protection and aid neutrality. Experts argue that Israel’s current aid mechanism transforms food into a tool of war, undermining both dignity and safety.

The Weaponization of Food: A Violation of Law and Morality

Deliberately obstructing access to food and humanitarian supplies for a besieged civilian population violates core tenets of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and may constitute crimes against humanity under certain conditions.

In Gaza, the blocking of food, the targeted killing of civilians near aid points, and the calculated destruction of food infrastructure are seen by many legal observers as part of a wider policy of collective punishment. The use of starvation as a method of warfare is explicitly prohibited by international law.

Call for Immediate Action and International Responsibility

Humanitarian leaders and legal experts are now calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities against civilians seeking aid and for Israel to open unhindered humanitarian corridors. This includes lifting all restrictions that prevent UN and other accredited aid organizations from delivering and distributing essential goods.

“Israel must stop shooting at people who are simply trying to eat,” one UN humanitarian representative stated. “This is not only inhumane—it is illegal. Aid must not be used as a weapon.”

The crisis has also triggered calls for Third States—countries that are party to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute—to take proactive measures. Under international law, these states have a duty to ensure that Israel, as the occupying power, upholds its obligations to provide for the welfare of the population under occupation. This may include diplomatic pressure, suspension of military aid, or referring alleged violations to the International Criminal Court.

Gaza's Future Hangs in the Balance

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with tens of thousands of families now facing daily life without reliable food, clean water, medical care, or shelter. As the world watches, the decisions of regional and international powers in the coming weeks may determine whether Gaza spirals further into catastrophe—or begins the long path toward relief and recovery.